Kolelinia Lab’s Halfbike Proves Less Can Be More When it Comes to Urban Mobility

In most cases, waking up to find half a bike in your garage would throw a wrench in your morning commute. But that’s not the case with the Halfbike, a new vehicle by Kolelinia Lab. Technically a tricycle, Halfbike combines the motions of cycling and running to provide a remarkably quick and enjoyable mode of transportation. If you don’t like the feeling of being hunched over traditional road bike’s handlebars, and if the aesthetics of the Segway cramp your style, Halfbike could be the perfect medium. And unlike other crazy bike concepts, it’s actually for sale!

“We see the Halfbike as an alternative for people tired of sitting in traffic jams, which at the same time improves their experience of travel,” writes Martin Angelov, inventor of Halfbike and co-founder of Kolelinia Lab with Mihail Klenov.

The Halfbike combines the familiar functions of pedaling and braking with the upright steering normally reserved for vehicles like the Segway. The upright riding position provides better visibility and excellent control. You turn simply by leaning in the desired direction. Just feel the ride and follow your body – the rest comes naturally. As the video above demonstrates, with a little practice, the Halfbike becomes an extension of the human form, flowing over various surfaces and through pedestrian traffic with ease.

The Halfbike was designed for commuting short distances of 1-3 miles, but it’s small enough to take on-board public transport for longer trips. It’s compact enough for an elevator, light enough to carry up stairs, and it fits into spaces too small for a normal bicycle–perfect for the urban commuter living in a fourth floor walk-up.

The Halfbike is produced by hand locally from high-quality materials and components. The lightweight aluminum frame is laser cut and hand welded, and the handlebar is handcrafted from impregnated plywood. All components are meticulously selected from well-renowned manufacturers and carefully assembled in Kolelinia’s USA workshop.

Think the Halfbike could be the whole answer to your transportation woes? It’s available for purchase now on halfbikes.com and on Kickstarter. Shipping begins Summer 2014 on a first-come, first-serve basis. Prices start at $799 for the limited edition model.